Favorite Fibers

Natural & Synthetics/Man Made Fibers

(NativaStore, 2011)

Why Natural Wool?

For me carpets are best when it’s made of natural fabric especially when it’s wool, because wool has many benefits. According to Michael, 2005 of LotusOrganic.com, here are some reasons why wool is my favourite and why it’s highly recommended to use:

·    Built-in climate control. Wool is a natural insulator to keep you warm in winter and naturally breathable to keep you cool in summer. Wool fiber helps to keep your body at the optimal temperature zone for comfort and rest. When used in blankets, synthetic fibers, down and even cotton fibers do not breathe as well as wool, and are more likely to trap heat in your bed. Wool buffers the extreme cold or hot air on the outside, keeping your body in that comfort zone.

·    Naturally absorbent fiber. Wool fiber is the original wicking fiber. Its coil-like shape pulls excess heat and moisture from your skin while you sleep. Wool fabrics can absorb up to 30% of their weight without feeling heavy or damp. Cotton fabrics begin to feel damp after 15%. The absorbent fibers "breathe" by wicking away moisture from the body and releasing it into the air. This quality makes wool fabrics comfortable to wear in warm and cold weather.

·    Natural mildew and mold resistance. Wool's natural resistance to mildews and molds comes from the way it repels moisture, and lets moisture pass through it's fibers without holding the moisture. Mildews and molds require moisture to live and grow.

·    Perfect insulator.  Wool is warm in winter and cool in the summer because of its hydrophilic ability to wick away excess moisture. In the winter, wool removes moisture from the skin to keep the wearer feeling warm and dry and wool’s insulating qualities trap dry air and warmth near the skin. This is unlike synthetic fleece, which is warm but does not breathe easily. Wool's natural insulating quality and its ability to shed water results in a fabric that keeps the body warm even when it's raining. In the summer, wool’s coil-like shape pulls excess heat and moisture from your skin helping the wearer stay cooler.

·    Water repellent. Tiny overlapping scales encase the wool fiber like tiles on a roof. This allows wool to repel rain, snow and liquid spills with ease.

·    Wool is durable. Laboratory tests have shown that wool fibers resist tearing and can bend back on themselves more than 20,000 times without breaking. Cotton breaks after 3,200 bends, silk fibers break after 1,800 bends, and rayon fibers break after just 75 bends. Wool clothing will last for years. Wool resists spills, dries very quickly and is mildew resistant.

·    Naturally wrinkle resistant. Wool fabrics resist wrinkles. Wool is the most resilient fiber because it has a natural crimp that helps it keep its shape. Wool fibers can be stretched and still bounce back to their original shape.

·    Fire retardant. Wool is safer to wear having natural fire-retardant properties. It can resist flame without the chemical treatment involved in fireproofing. Synthetic fleece is oil based, ignites easily, burns fiercely and melts. If your synthetic fleece is fire proofed, then you have the fire proofing chemicals next to your skin.

·    Resists static, dirt and dust. Wool fabric doesn't collect much static because of its absorbent fibers. Static attracts lint, dirt, and dust. Wool fabrics also clean easily because dirt sits on the surface of the fiber. The outside surface of the wool fiber consists of a series of overlapping scales, similar to the feathers on a bird, making it easy to brush off and for stains to lift out.

·    Wool is colorful. There are an amazing variety and number of breeds of sheep that come in a wide array of colors giving us a huge number of natural colors. In additional to natural color-grown fibers, the structure of wool fibers allow wool to easily accept dyes without the need for harsh and sometimes toxic chemicals to prepare the fiber for dyes. When wool fabrics are dyed, the dye reaches to the core of the fiber and bonds permanently. Almost any color and dye can be used.

·    Naturally non-allergenic. Wool is almost entirely non-allergenic. Although some people do have a rare natural allergy to Lanolin, the oil found in wool, most people's allergy to wool is a reaction to the many harsh and toxic chemicals that go into the treatment, and finishing of conventional wool garments and bedding. Serious chemical abrasives are routinely used to wash raw wool for processing. Chlorine and mothproofing chemicals are routinely applied to conventional wool before turning it into a finished product.

·    Renewable and Sustainable. Wool is a renewable resource that can be shorn from sheep annually. It is biodegradable and kinder to the environment than oil-based synthetics, which contribute to global pollution. Wool is sustainable. Wool from free-grazing sheep, treated ethically throughout their long lives, represents a traditional small-scale industry that once thrived in America. Today, many small organic farmers are returning to this sustainable industry to create clean and healthy wool that is produced without stress to the animals or the environment. 

 Amongst these natural fabrics I then choose Argentinean wool. Argentina is very well known of their wool because of their abundant sheep production. Hand woven carpets are very interesting in how they have to use different techniques to form geometric patterns to beauties. It’s noted for its gloss and sheen with natural resistance to soiling.

-Jrose Amar

GABBEH RUGS

Gabbeh rugs are fabulous. The wonderful colors, the rich silky wool and the minimal designs have inspired countless rug lovers.

A Gabbeh rug is an indigenous rug that's made in mountains area of Iran by tribal weavers. These rugs have an ancient history, and thus have developed a subtle sophistication over many hundreds of years. Each piece begs the attention of those looking at it. Their bright primary colors, designs, and unique patterns .The beauty of Gabbeh rugs was discovered in the nineteenth century, as people from outside began to notice the wonderful handmade rugs of the Qashqai tribe.These rugs bore a variety of patterns and came in many designs. The main weavers of the Gabbeh rugs were the Qashqai tribes living in the Zagros Mountains. These mountains, the highest in Iran, help provide the local peoples with a unique culture of which the Gabbeh rugs cannot be separated. 

"Gabbeh" comes from a Persian word that means "rough" or "uneven," and this is exactly how the original Gabbeh rugs were. Handmade, the rugs were weaved together in rough patterns that different substantially from those in nearby areas. This instantly made the rugs something of an article upon discovery. It wasn't until many years later, however, that people realized the rugs could be marketed for a more broad use. most Gabbeh rugs display only geometric shapes (usually rectangles) and simple animals, the relative lack of color variety is not a disadvantage for this rug. In fact, it helps identify the rug and secure its position as culturally unique. This rug will give you just enough touch of the exotic, they will provide you with beautiful designs from different cultures. The Persian Gabbeh rug is perfect for those looking to provide a tribal feel to their homes and it's a great way to show a different culture to others and also you can never go wrong with antique style rugs or vintage style rugs.

TABOADA, FAITH ROSEMEL C.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabbeh

http://gabbeh.com/about_rugs.php

NATURAL COTTON RUG

Cotton rugs are  strong and stable, natural product, soft fiber, generally inexpensive. Generally more affordable than wool or silk; easy to clean. The problem with the cotton rug is that it doesn't wear well over the period of time. But natural cotton rug comes in different colors and different designs although Cotton rugs are generally found in a flat weave and are a popular selection for kitchens because most smaller sizes can be easily washed. Cotton pile can sometimes become felted and tends to attracts dirt easily.It's best for kitchens, children’s rooms, casual spaces.

                                                                                                                      -Calape, Rhea A.

Sources:
One Kings Lane : https://www.onekingslane.com/live-love-home/rug-guide-materials/
Way Fair: https://www.wayfair.com/ideas-and-advice/rug-materials-guide-S4809.html

Michael. (November 8, 2005). Wool - Facts behind the fibers. Retrieved from: http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2005/11/wool_facts_behi.html

NativaStore. (May 9, 2011). Stitches and threads. Retrieved from: https://nativastore.wordpress.com/category/argentina/